Pompeii: The Legacy comes from Croatian one-man studio Siscia Games and promises to unearth valuable DNA from the ‘golden era’ of city sim games, looking to the mighty and timeless classic Caesar III for inspiration.
One key difference is that, unlike recent refreshes of Impressions Games’ output, such as Pharaoh: A New Era, Pompeii: The Legacy has been built from the ground up as a 3D strategy game. The main premise, however, is quite similar to that of the Caesar titles: Managing every aspect of a Roman city, from constructing buildings to maintaining the economy to keeping its complex society in balance.
Of course, its Pompeii setting means natural disasters loom over man-made progress, so that’s another layer of challenge plus a what-if scenario added on top of the rather familiar gameplay loop. Moreover, expect tons of political intrigue and more RPG elements that add previously unseen depth to the tried-and-tested strategy formula.
Siscia Games notes “preparations for the first gameplay trailer near completion” while teasing a Steam Next Fest demo that is coming in June 2025. Meanwhile, its key features and mechanics have been highlighted for us. You can read through them below (straight from the press release):
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Generational Gameplay: Manage family trees and watch your city evolve over centuries, making decisions that shape future generations. Gather diverse family talents to aid in city management and progression, adding depth and strategy to your gameplay.
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Societal Depth: Navigate societal classes—slaves, plebeians, patricians, and senators—each with unique needs and roles.
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Dynamic Challenges: The looming threat of Mount Vesuvius adds tension, with ashfall, magma, and earthquakes creating strategic dilemmas.
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RPG Elements: Form alliances, negotiate marriages, and handle political intrigue through a robust diplomacy system, adding layers of strategy and immersion.
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Trade: Engage in commerce with neighboring cities to enrich your economy and build regional connections. However, trade isn’t always without risk—valuable cargo may fall prey to unpredictable sea currents or pirate attacks, adding tension to every transaction.
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Detailed Environments: Explore lush forests, bustling towns, and the charred remains of Vesuvius’ eruption, all brought to life with historical authenticity and meticulous detail.
Pompeii: The Legacy is set to launch on PC (Steam) at some point in 2025. Steam Deck support is planned, and developer Zeljko Kos states an Xbox release could happen down the line, too.
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